Fifteen years ago, the Subaru WRX introduced many Americans to the notion of all-wheel-drive sport compact performance. The 2018 Subaru WRX powers forward with a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, just like the original, while the maximum-performance WRX STI variant gets a 2.5-liter boxer with even more verve.

Either way, there's certainly no shortage of speed. The base WRX checks in at 268 horsepower, while the STI boasts 305 hp. That's a lot of ponies for a sedan the size of a Corolla. Sure-footed all-wheel drive makes the most of that impressive output whether the road is wet or dry, joining with accurate steering and crisp handling to provide a true sport sedan driving experience.

A purist-pleasing six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment, while a commuter-friendly continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. Because gearless CVT transmissions can be unsettling for drivers accustomed to moving through the gears one step at a time, Subaru has programmed this one to "shift" through a series of simulated gear ratios. Consequently, it feels much like a regular automatic to the driver, even though there's no actual shifting going on.

Glancing at the sticker price of the WRX or especially the STI, some shoppers might expect luxurious appointments and a refined ride. These aspects are notably absent. The WRX is available in three different trim levels with a number of appealing amenities. But the overall experience remains relatively austere and intense, particularly with the STI's firmer suspension. There's also a fair amount of hard, cheap-looking interior plastic, which is disappointing in a car in this price range. The WRX family isn't for everyone; in other words, it's aimed at enthusiastic drivers who are willing to forgo some comfort and polish in return for performance that inspires.

On the safety front, Subaru's EyeSight bundle — including lane departure prevention and forward collision mitigation with automatic braking — is available, though only on the high-end Limited model (and only when equipped with the CVT). According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, crashworthiness improves from Good for the regular WRX to Superior for the EyeSight-equipped model.

Fuel economy ranges from 23 mpg (20 city/27 highway) for the manual-transmission WRX to 19 mpg combined (17 city/23 highway) for the manual-only STI, with the self-shifting WRX splitting the difference. You can certainly find more fuel-efficient performance cars in this day and age, though the endearingly quirky character of Subaru's engines will add value for some shoppers.

At the end of the day, the 2018 Subaru WRX is an all-season athlete meant for those who want every trip to be a thrill ride. Just like the original all those years ago, the standard 2018 WRX is a no-brainer if you're looking for AWD performance on a budget, though again, pricier versions bring cosseting luxury-brand alternatives into play. If you're a fan, Edmunds' peerless reviews and pricing data can help you find the WRX that's right for you.

Save up to $301 on one of 11 used 2018 Subaru WRXs for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $22988 as of Mar 19, 2018, based on data from 11 dealers and 34 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 2 to 5 out of 5 stars.

Price comparisons for used 2018 Subaru WRX trim styles:

The used 2018 Subaru WRX STI is priced around $35724 with average odometer reading of 9198 miles.

The used 2018 Subaru WRX Base is priced around $26348 with average odometer reading of 7934 miles.

The used 2018 Subaru WRX Premium is priced around $28178 with average odometer reading of 3363 miles.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Is the 2018 Subaru WRX a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Subaru WRX and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 WRX featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review ProcessAll of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

What do people think of the 2018 Subaru WRX? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Subaru WRX and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 WRX a 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 WRX.

Vehicle Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review I drove 2018 WRX Premium with Performance package. Outstanding! This car handles like a king and the RECARO seats deliver great support and firmness. Shifting is precise and steering gives you a great feedback. I would recommend to test drive different trims and packages before you make your decision. Now Subaru has a car for every driver

Used 2018 Subaru WRX listings and inventory: Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Subaru WRXs for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 143 used and CPO 2018 WRXs listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 22988 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2018 Subaru WRX. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 3426 on a used or CPO 2018 WRX available from one of 2638 dealerships in your area.

Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.

Used 2018 Subaru WRX listings and inventory: Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Subaru WRXs for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 143 used and CPO 2018 WRXs listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 22988 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2018 Subaru WRX. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 3426 on a used or CPO 2018 WRX available from one of 2638 dealerships in your area.

What's a good price on a used 2018 Subaru WRX ?

Save up to $301 on one of 11 used 2018 Subaru WRXs for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $22988 as of Mar 19, 2018, based on data from 11 dealers and 34 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 2 to 5 out of 5 stars.

Price comparisons for used 2018 Subaru WRX trim styles:

The used 2018 Subaru WRX STI is priced around $35724 with average odometer reading of 9198 miles.

The used 2018 Subaru WRX Base is priced around $26348 with average odometer reading of 7934 miles.

The used 2018 Subaru WRX Premium is priced around $28178 with average odometer reading of 3363 miles.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.